Classic Monster Movies – Which is the Best?

Ever since I was a little kid, I would watch the old black and white horror movies on TV. Back before blood and guts slasher films there was good old fashioned horror. You know, The Thing, Frankenstien, the movies that really freak you out! It must be fate that I eventually wound up working for a Halloween costume company. Much to my dismay, I didn’t learn about the International Classic Monster Movie Conference, Film Festival and Expo until just recently. And even more to my dismay, I just missed it last weekend. The next one is schedule for June 20-22, 2014 in Mars, PA. I love it…Mars.

For the past few days, I started thinking back to all of the old monster movies I have seen. Many scary, some funny and a few that were completely ridiculous. This is my list of the Top 10 Best Classic Monster/Horror Films ever made:

1. The Thing from Another World (1951)- if you watch just one black and white horror film in your lifetime, make it this one. Don’t bother with the remakes. The fear and anticipation when that block of ice begins to thaw…chills!

2. Godzilla – again, watch the original! Actually, any of the Godzilla movies and Mothra movies

3. Psycho (1960) Thank you Norman Bates and Alfred Hitchcock for the horror. Thank you Janet Leigh for a scream that I heard in my nightmares for days after seeing this movie. I have never stayed in an old motel because of this movie. I stick to the big chains.

4. The Exorcist (1973) OK, it is not a black and white, but it is definately a classic. Head spinning, vomit spewing demonic possession at its very best.

5. The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) An amphibious humanoid attacks scientists on a geological expedition in the Amazon.

6. The Mummy (1932) – Starring Boris Karloff, the king of classic horror, as Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian mummy brought to life when an archaeologist recites an ancient spell that revives mummies. When the mummy finds a women that looks like his princess, he attempts to mummify her and take her as his bride. Good times.

7. It Came From Beneath The Sea (1955) Early special effect pioneer Ray Harryhausen makes this movie worth watching. His clay model animation can also be enjoyed in such classics as King Kong, Mighty Joe Young and the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. In this movie, a radioactive giant octopus wrecks havoc in the Pacific.

8. Them! (1954) – Gigantic nuclear mutant ants invade New Mexico. The best part of this movie is the suspense because you don’t even see the ants until almost halfway through the movie. But when the do appear, it is worth the wait.

9. Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) – I put this one on the list because it is the most ridiculous horror film in the world, EVER! However, it is totally worth watching for a laugh. Besides, any movie that combines aliens, vampires and zombies is worth seeing. This is directed by Ed Wood. Johnny Depp played Ed Wood in a movie by the same name which I recommend highly.

10. Jaws (1975) Again, not a black and white classic, or even a real horror movie at that but no one can deny the way your heart begins to pound when you hear the shark music begin to play. This is one smart and scary monster shark and one of the best movies ever made, period.